“This exciting new blog will be a great resource for emerging companies, with valuable tools, case studies and best practices," said BioNJ President and CEO Debbie Hart. "We thank Verve Group Consulting for its partnership in helping us launch it."

Pavita Howe takes on the new position at the state's life sciences association, most recently serving as director of entrepreneurship partnerships at Rutgers University.

The first-ever event from the state's life sciences trade association recognized three teams, including one from New Jersey, and awarded more than $20,000 in prize money. 

The life sciences trade organization said the effort will help to identify issues and interventions, offer support to companies and benchmark best practices. Additionally, it will aim to influence the next generation of field innovators through a MBA Business Plan Case Competition.

Industry thought leaders gathered at the New Jersey Institute of Technology to navigate an ever-changing and ever-more-difficult industry landscape, especially in the wake of the pandemic.

The event marked the first in-person biomanufacturing conference from the organization in two years. "[W]e want to make sure that we’re supporting New Jersey’s life sciences ecosystem and make sure that it is a place where innovation is happening unencumbered and then patients can access that innovation," said President and CEO Debbie Hart.

BioNJ's founding CEO discusses the state of the life sciences industry in New Jersey, the outlook for the next year and the organization's priorities in the post-COVID era.

Ian McLaughlin most recently served as a policy analyst in the New Jersey Assembly Majority Office, and Cheri Hennessy Durst previously was executive director for NYC SHRM.

In what felt like a return to normalcy, at its 29th Annual Dinner Meeting & Innovation Celebration the organization shined a spotlight on the unprecedented medical innovation that emerged from the Garden State during the pandemic.

More than 50 startups gave virtual presentations during the event in the hopes of attracting potential investors and partners, with winners announced across Devices & Diagnostics, Digital Medicine/Health IT/AI/Medtech, Research & Development, Start-Up Pitch Presentations and Therapeutics.

The state's life sciences trade association added two new members and three new advisors.